Here is a sketch of George Matthews who was my 4 Gt. grandfather. This sketch was done by his grandson William Matthews in Morgan Co. IN. and sent to me by his decendent Tim Burk. George moved to Morgan Co. in April of 1820 with his three sons John, Alfred and Calvin. Land was opened up by the Govt. in Sept. of 1820. Between then and July of 1821 George claimed a total of 12 parcels of land in townships 11, 12 and 13. The first claim was a quarter section of land that today includes Centerton, IN. and land west of White Lick Creek. The rest of George's family joined him in Nov. 1820 after he and his sons had built a log cabin.
George and his wife Delphia lived in Centerton until their deaths and are buried in the Centerton Cem.
George died in 1850 and the land was divided up between his sons. Calvin who was my 3Gt. grandfather is said to have layed out the town of Centerton in 1854. Calvin later moved his family to Coles Co. IL. where he lived until his death. He is buried in the Old Gordon Cem. sometimes known as the Lincoln Cem. because Thomas Lincoln father of Pres. Lincoln is buried there.
William Matthews the grandson who did the sketch was the son of Alfred Matthews and he was born in Morgan Co. and later moved to Cumberland Co. IL.